Joette Calabrese,HMC,CCH,RSHom

Published in Wise Traditions, Summer 2009, “Treating Low Metabolism”

Margaret was uncommonly dazzling, charismatic and constitutionally unfit for frumpy clothes. Nothing she wore matched exactly, yet it all worked together quite nicely because it was draped on her body with her patrician sensibilities.

She summered at Martha’s Vineyard, her long tan legs attracting onlookers. . . mostly men, but women, too. I can’t say in public what the men would think but I’m sure Margaret knew. It gave her permission to flounce her hair incautiously. The result was a kind of male chaos that fell in her wake. She was the sort of woman who reveled in her ever-changing relationships, amending them simply because the challenge was entertaining.

But then, one weekend after a friend’s opening in Soho, something snapped. Instead of her usual deftness in her daily routine, she began to experience weariness. It moderated her usual steady vitality with a chronic longing for naps. Before long, she also recognized that her easy confidence and flippant air had dwindled and was being replaced by a diminished, subdued version of her old self. And she began to lose more hair than she cared to think about.

At first, her symptoms were mild, but by the time she entered the doctor’s office, she was agitated and alarmed. “It feels like I have a chronic touch of the flu, and worse, I’ve put on twenty pounds.” The latter symptom troubled her the most.

The doctor considered hypothyroidism and subsequent tests indicated Margaret’s TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was indeed low, so he advised a medication. This wouldn’t cure her, of course, but it would manage the problem.

Margaret began to question the decision to follow through since the side effects were written in the drug pack she was handed, albeit in print so small she literally needed a magnifying glass to make out the words. But, it was indeed as clear as day…anxiety, mood swings, hair loss, weight gain, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, seizures. She already had suffered some of these symptoms and the drug only promised more!

Next Margaret visited a psychiatrist, because of the angst she was experiencing. He too proposed drugs. “No thanks,” she thought. She could have submitted without a struggle and simply taken the prescriptions, but that wasn’t Margaret’s style. In fact, even her best friend asked her, “What’s wrong with taking medicine?” “No,” Margaret insisted, “I must find a bona fide solution.”

And so Margaret wore her hair in a sweeping fashion that concealed the loss that honestly only she noticed. She was driven by her innate tenacity to unearth an alternative solution. A colleague who had been relieved of thyroid nodules with a special homeopathic preparation suggested the name of her reputable homeopath.

So, Margaret scheduled a phone consultation because the homeopath lived two states away.

After this initial consultation, Margaret was comforted. She was not told her hypothyroid condition would be cured, but the homeopath put it in a different way. “Your body is responding to an imbalance which causes symptoms. We will use the symptoms to determine which homeopathic remedy is best suited to antidote or address your specific imbalance. Once the energy of the illness is met by the energy of the remedy, it will be unnecessary for the body to react. Instead, the reactions to the disease or symptoms will be antidoted.”

Margaret was inspired by the word “antidote” and within a week from taking the remedy Iodum, her fatigue began to fade. “Is this iodine?” she asked the homeopath. The answer she received was fascinating. The homeopath explained that we know that iodine is key to thyroid health, but to use it in gross form can sometimes be imprudent. Instead, in homeopathic formula, which is greatly diluted according to a specific mathematical procedure, any problems relating to iodine are eliminated, leaving only beneficial results. Since homeopathy is a medical paradigm used the world over, including European hospitals and clinics, and by homeopathic MDs, we have plenty of research to conclude that this method not only has merit, but is safe.

Margaret didn’t really care about the studies; her focus was on how well she began to feel. First she noticed that there was no longer a tangled mass on her hair brush. Then, her zeal returned. This happened within the first month of taking the homeopathic preparation. However, the most remarkable restoration was when she observed the pounds slowly melting and the fatigue eliminated.

Symptom by symptom, the disease seemed to dissolve. It was so natural and not unlike the way she felt before being struck with hypothyroid disease. Months later, her thyroid hormone was again measured and the proof was revealed. Her levels were indeed within the range of normal! It was about this time that, while at the theatre, she inadvertently ran into Alphonso, a handsome Italian friend from back in grad school. He squeezed her hand and whispered, “Sprezzatura!”

When she got home that night, she paged through her Italian dictionary and was delighted to discover that the beautiful word means “the art of nonchalance in effortless elegance.” Ahhh … the confirmation that her life was back.

Homeopathic Remedies for Thyroid Problems

The link between iodine and the thyroid gland is well established; therefore, it is no surprise that homeopathic iodine has been used homeopathically for many decades. In its original state, elemental iodine can actually cause thyroid pathology. This is why in the much diluted methods of homeopathic preparation it can instead rouse the body to address the very problem it can sometimes cause. This capacity reveals the very essence of homeopathy, which is ruled by the law “like cures like.”

In the case of Margaret’s sufferings, this remedy was chosen because it suited not only her specific symptoms, but her personality as well. What caught the homeopath’s attention, in this case, was her uncharacteristic weight gain and subdued behavior that was so unlike her when in health. Since the need for Iodum is characterized by these features, it proved to be just the right fit for Margaret.

However, Margaret had a colleague for whom the remedy choice was quite different. A common remedy for thyroid nodules, whether accompanied by hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, is Sepia. But again, the choice of Sepia depends on the entirety of the person suffering the problem. Margaret’s colleague had just had a baby when she developed her thyroid issues. This put her in a reproductive state that would need to be considered for the totality of symptoms to match. For example, she too experienced weight gain, but it was accompanied by mood swings and sleeplessness. Since Margaret’s hormones were not those of a new mother, Sepia would have been unsuitable for her.

A man suffering from hypo- or hyperthyroidism would indeed be subject to the same differentiating criteria, but the hallmark of his sufferings might include chronic perspiration of the head, easy weight gain that was particularly flabby and an overall sluggish disposition. There might also be anxiety and an overwhelmed sensation from his many responsibilities. This would point squarely in the direction of Calcarea carbonica, a homeopathic remedy most noted for these symptoms. Thus homeopathy is person-specific, not disease-specific and anything less would be a mediocre, polyester, one-size-fits-all choice. In the quest for authentic health, this will never do.

I am a homeopath with a worldwide practice working with families and individuals via Zoom. I'm also a teacher and most importantly, a mom who raised my now-adult children depending on homeopathy over the last 31 years. I lived decades of my life with food intolerances, allergies, and chemical sensitivities until I was cured with homeopathy, so I understand pain, anxiety, and suffering. You may feel that your issues are more severe or different than anyone else’s, but I have seen it all in my practice and in my work in India. My opinion is that nothing has come close to the reproducible, safe and effective results that my clients, students and I have achieved with homeopathy.

Call today and learn how homeopathy might just be the missing piece in your health strategy.

Joette is not a physician and the relationship between Joette and her clients is not of prescriber and patient, but as educator and client. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Joette presents. Homeopathy doesn't "treat" an illness; it addresses the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. Joette believes that the advice and diagnosis of a physician is often in order.

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26 thoughts on “Thyroid and Homeopathic Iodine”

Hello Joette,
well I am finally contacting you, I’m not sure why I’ve waited so long.
I had my 1st child 6 years ago and I noticed I never lost 1 lb after bf for over 6 years! My diet was a 80/20. Raw milk, pasture eggs and meats (mostly), organic veggies, mineral water, no soda,no smoking, no prescription drugs and not a lot of exercise. I had blood work done and I did a saliva test for my hormones. My homeopath said my thyroid was good but my DHEA was very low (a spray was perscribed) and my adrenals were slightly stressed. She put me on on afew diff. Things but I never saw that my hair stopped falling out. My hair loss got so bad that it was starting to effect my emotional well being. I thought wel when I stop bf my hair will stop falling out, nope. I then had a surprise pregnancy 5 years later and my hair not only stopped falling out, it started growing thick and beautiful again, I was a new woman! Fast forward 9 m + 6 months and my hair is back to being just as thin. So frustrating. I read Homeopathy and Thyroid and homeopathic iodine. I also read the part about Sepia which sounds more like what I may need, just not sure. Having babies did something to my body. AND I b have yet to loose the 1st 30 lbs from 1st baby AND the 35 lbs from 2nd baby and I wasnt thin to begin with HOWEVER I had a nice waist line etc. Id love to schedule a consult with you.

I have a thyroid nodule like you mentioned at the end, referencing Sepia. It’s about 1 cm, and I’ve had it since my first baby was 2 years or so (this has been 2
years now). I didn’t know it was there or not before then. Doctor isn’t concerned- they’ve done an ultrasound and it looks fine. I’d just rather have it resolve naturally.

No other symptoms that I’m concerned about, just a random nodule. Stress, of course, but I have lots of kids. Lack of sleep, but due to babies!

Can you give an idea on the dose and duration of Sepia if it may be an appropriate remedy?

I’m sorry, but without taking your case, I couldn’t offer specific information. Having said this, mothers with many children are often quite benefited by using Sepia 200, twice weekly, particularly if there is a thyroid condition.

AS with all chronic conditions, the remedy is usually taken for about 2 months and halted after the condition is resolved.

Hi Joette,
Waiting to get my bloodworm back on my thyroid. Does the Banerji Protocol of Bromium 6 mixed with Lycopodium 200 work for all cases of Low thyroid? Does it trump recommendations above? Am I correct that the Bromium is 6C and Lyco is 200C? Thanks 😉

I would not be comfortable suggesting that that or any protocol would act in all cases. The beauty of these protocols is that they act in about 80% of the cases and if they don’t, we still have classical homeopathy on which to fall back.

I just read the same thing on the official Banerji website as Stephen wrote. The above case recommends Iodum for hypothyroidism but that was recommended for hyperthyroidism on the Banerji protocol. I want to develop a sense of courage in using homeopathy. It is VERY expensive around here and hard to get into be seen so learning this for one’s self is important if it is to be really useful. Please advise.

I directly read Bromium 6C 2 pellets morning and night and for up to 4 months with monthly monitoring, that may not have been on that same site but someone else citing their protocol. But no mention of Thyroidinum 200.
So the Thyroidinum200 would be the same? Twice a day or every other day?
A friend who is taking your course made me aware of you.

So as for the timing aspect of a protocol, if say in the four weeks there was a positive change, followed by no change or a worsening, how long do we need to ride the no change or worsening before we know its time to move on?

I wish I could give you a simple answer but without taking the full case, it would be difficult. healing is not usually linear. So if there is a net gain and improvement has lapsed for a while, I’d consider staying with it.

For over 30 years I have used homeopathy for acute conditions but never for chronic ones. I’m wanting to try homeopathy for my Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. The dr says if you’re on thyroid meds you will be on them for life…. I just can’t except that. Do you have to taper off meds when trying a homeopathic protocol? I sure lean towards Sepia, but I’m a great grandma…no kids at home.

Oh Joette, here I am again…I had decided to take Thyroidinum 200 for my Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but then I got to thinking I have the bad gut protocol Lycopodium 200/Arsenicum Alb 6 that I already take…….Above Lycopodium 200/Bromium 6 is mentioned for hypothyroidism… since they both use Lycopodium should I just add Bromium and call it done??? Hope I didn’t confuse you!

Well I know what the two birds are, I’m assuming the stone would be Lycopodium??? I’ve often been known to assume wrong though. Thanks for getting back to me, my kids and grandkids, great grandkids all take homeopathic medicine and very impressed with it but no one likes to talk about it. Love your blog and comments to questions asked!

Whoops, I’m back with a delayed thought about Thyroidinum vs Lycopodium, the reason I had chose the Thyroidinum for my hypothyroidism was that Borkie listed rheumatoid arthritis My hands are disfigured from RA, so I was leaning towards the Thyroidinum 200. But swung back the other direction

I have the banerji protocol book and it states the first line for hypothyroidism is Bromium 6c two doses daily and Lycopodium 30C in liquid two does daily. But online I’m always reading Lyco 200c. Which is best?

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Joette is not a physician and the relationship between Joette and her clients is not of prescriber and patient, but as educator and client. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Joette presents. Homeopathy doesn't "treat" an illness; it addresses the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. In order to be treated or diagnosed, Joette believes that the advice of a holistic physician is in order.